Charlie Strong lifts Louisville to national spotlight

Strong prepares to lead undefeated Cards against UCF Friday

LOUISVILLE — Tom Jurich believes Charlie Strong is the perfect fit for the University of Louisville.

Not just for the football program, but the entire athletic department.

"I'm a big believer in fit and this is a great fit," said Jurich, who has been the school's athletic director since 1997.

Strong spent 24 years working as an assistant coach before Jurich gave him his first head coaching opportunity in 2010.

"It's probably one of the greatest surprises in my career," Jurich said when about how long it took for Strong to land his first head coaching job. "I'm certainly glad that I was fortunate enough to be the one to give it to him."

UCF (4-1, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) hopes to break up Strong's remarkable run at Louisville dating back to last season. The Knights face the No. 8 Cardinals (6-0, 2-0 AAC) and present arguably the toughest test remaining for a Louisville team hoping to go undefeated during the regular season. Kickoff for the marquee matchup is set for 8 p.m. Friday and the game will air on ESPN.

Count Dan McCarney among the Strong's many peers who aren't surprised he's pushed Louisville into the national spotlight.

McCarney and Strong were assistant coaches at Florida under Urban Meyer. McCarney was defensive line coach for one of Meyer's national title wins, while Strong was UF's defensive coordinator during both of Meyer's national championship victories.

"If you follow the lead of Charlie Strong, you have a chance to be special," said McCarney, who currently is the head football coach at North Texas.

McCarney remembers introducing Strong as a speaker during a high school coaches clinic in Orlando. After praising Strong, McCarney wrapped up his comments with one simple request.

"It's about damn time he was a head football coach, too," McCarney recalled telling the crowd. He said his words were met with boisterous applause and cheering from the crowd.

Strong quickly proved he could handle the head coaching challenges at Louisville.

During three-plus seasons, Strong led the Cardinals to a 31-14 record, including 11 wins last season and the program's first BCS bowl win since 2006.

Despite his team's success, Strong has been forced to defend undefeated Louisville's right to be in the national title conversation this season.

"What we have to do is just go out and compete each and every week, and just try to prove to everybody that we're a good football team," Strong said when asked whether his team's schedule is too weak to allow a shot at the national title game. " . . . It doesn't matter who we play, our focus is on the task at hand. It's on ourselves to make sure we go out and compete and give our best each and every week."

The fact that Strong is asked about Louisville's national title game potential shows just how far the program has come during his tenure. It's also the reason his name comes up often when a high-profile job opens up.

The clean up crew at the Louisiana Superdome had not finished sweeping up the confetti following Louisville's upset victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl this past January when Strong's name was penciled in on several athletic director's coaching "wish lists."

The Southeastern Conference seemed the next logical stop for Strong, who had worked as an assistant coach Ole Miss, South Carolina and UF. He had strong recruiting ties in Florida, which could help him build a strong SEC program. Vacancies at Arkansas and Auburn were possible destinations, with Tennessee officials making a big push for his services.

However, in the end, Strong chose not to uproot his family and opted to stay put in Louisville. He fought back tears while confirming his commitment to the Cardinals and Jurich, who believed in him enough to give him his first coaching job.

McCarney isn't shocked that Strong is a hot coaching commodity, adding, "All he needed was an opportunity."

Jurich has heard all of the whispers and read all the rumors about his head football coach leaving for another program. Jurich said he firmly believes Louisville is the right place for Strong to continue his coaching career. The school is set to make the move from the American Athletic Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference in July and the bump in competition could mean better national exposure for both coach, players and school.

While he admits he's a bit biased, Jurich said the move to the ACC makes the Louisville job is one of the top 10 coaching opportunities in the country.

However, he understands why Strong is such an attractive commodity and he must keep fighting off other schools.

"The great thing about Charlie is that he does everything from A-to-Z," Jurich said. "That's something I really appreciate. There are so many coaches out there that are good at A, B or C. Or they're a good offensive coach or a good defensive coach or a good administrator.

"Charlie can do it all."

Jurich said Strong isn't much of a self-promoter, that he cares more about the kids that he's coaching.

"He's truly their Pied Piper," Jurich said.

A powerhouse school may one day lure Strong, but don't expect Jurich to give him up easily.